Are impact windows bulletproof or not?

HWS Staff
August 12, 2024
11:43 am

Having high-quality, strong-impact windows is a must for everyone living in South Florida. Severe hurricanes and storms are a constant threat to houses that don’t have proper protection against hurricanes. Impact windows aim to protect your inside home from flying debris during high winds and storms. It’s important to note that they are not designed to withstand the impact of bullets.

Impact windows are not bulletproof, they are used only to bear the load of strong winds, storms, and the strikes of flying objects associated with hurricanes. Also, they provide some other benefits like security, noise reduction, energy efficiency, etc.

They provide a defensive layer to the buildings. Impact windows are also known as hurricane windows. As impact windows are strong enough to withstand a great deal of the force of hurricanes and tornadoes, people are curious whether they can stop a bullet or not. But the impact Windows did not stop the bullet.

Science of Bulletproof Glass

Bulletproof glass is one of the strongest glasses. They are made by layering polycarbonate material, a hard plastic, between pieces of ordinary glass through a process known as lamination. The thickness of bulletproof glass lies between 7 millimeters to 75 millimeters. The strength of this glass depends upon its density and thickness, built to stand the test of time.

Use of Bulletproof Glass

Bulletproof glass, also known as ballistic-resistant glass, comes with different levels of protection. It is generally used for maintaining high security at specific places such as jewelry shops, banks, government buildings, etc. Bulletproof glass is also used in luxury vehicles owned by high-ranked people and for military purposes.

Impact window vs. bullet

Impact windows are made only to withstand the force of hurricanes and flying debris. They cannot stop a bullet from it. Although the laminated glass is thick and strong, it is not enough to stop a bullet.

If a bullet hits an impact window, the results will depend on various factors.

Bullet Caliber

Bullets with higher caliber have greater kinetic energy and they will easily pass from an impact window. But there is a chance that a lower caliber bullet would be stopped by an impact window.

Target location

If the bullet hits the exact center of the impact glass it is more likely to pass than the bullet hitting the sides of the glass.

Here are some possible outcomes of an impact window being stuck by a bullet.

Deflection

In this case, the bullet having low kinetic energy would simply deflect back.

Cracking

The bullet may crack the outer layer of the glass due to high kinetic energy, but cannot penetrate completely, leaving a spider web-like crack on the glass.

Partial penetration

The bullet can partially penetrate through one pane of glass but not all. In this case, there could be a small hole in the glass with some major cracks.

Complete penetration

The bullet could completely penetrate the window if it’s a high-caliber bullet hitting the center spot of the window making a clean hole in all the panes of the glass. As a result, the glass would be completely shattered.

Understanding impact windows

Impact windows are usually made from laminated glass which consists of two layers of glass adhered with a durable inner layer made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).

This unique architecture ensures the window will not shatter even if it undergoes a great amount of destructive force. Impact windows are used to handle the strong winds, and the hit of projectiles associated with hurricanes and tornadoes, keeping your home safe in any situation.

Benefits of impact windows

Usually, impact windows provide us with various benefits including the safety and protection of our inside home during storms and hurricanes. This means you will not be affected at all by any kind of severe weather conditions. However, some of the key benefits are given below.

Hurricane Protection

The most important and key feature of impact windows is to bear the pressure and destructive force of storms, hurricanes, and the strikes of flying objects in the winds.

Energy Efficiency

Impact windows can help improve the efficiency of your home by reducing energy bills. The laminated glass and special coating used in these windows don’t allow UV (ultraviolet rays) and heat to pass from it and keep your house warm in winter and cool in summer.

Security

Impact windows also ensure the security of your home from robbery and other break-ins. Their strong glass and tough material make it difficult for the robbers to break it and get inside the house.

Noise reduction

Impact windows also help to reduce the noise from outside. Their thick and dense material doesn’t allow any kind of unnecessary sounds to enter your home.

Durability

Impact windows are long-lasting and durable. They are not only resistant to harsh weather conditions but to dents and scratches keeping the cost of maintenance low.

Hurricane impact windows in Miami

Look no further if you are looking for hurricane-impact windows in Miami Florida. With over 35 years of experience, our company Hurricane Window and Screen is committed to providing the best quality windows and doors.

We work only with top manufactures including CGI impact windows, PGT impact windows, and Marvin windows to ensure the use of the highest quality material. So don’t risk your home’s protection and Call Hurricane Window And Screen Inc now

Conclusion

Although impact windows cannot stop a bullet, they provide many other benefits like security, noise reduction, hurricane protection, etc. But knowing the difference between impact and bulletproof glass is important to give the best protection to your house.